The Shift to Address Prison Gerrymandering: States Take Action

States across the U.S. are recalculating how prisoners are counted in population statistics, a move aimed at addressing the imbalances caused by 'prison gerrymandering.' Advocates argue that counting prisoners at their home addresses will lead to fairer political representation and better distribution of public funds, especially for minorities.

Minnesota joins a growing number of states recalculating prison populations to ensure fair representation, especially for minorities and indigenous people.

Advocates highlight the imbalances caused by 'prison gerrymandering,' where prisoners are counted at correctional facilities rather than their home addresses, affecting legislative boundaries and funding distribution.

States such as Washington and Montana have already made reforms, reflecting a nationwide movement to correct these discrepancies for a more equitable political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)